Show-Me State Times

ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp on Wednesday sentenced Brandon Adams, 27, a man who sold millions of counterfeit Xanax pills on the Darknet, to 24 months in prison. Additionally, Adams was fined $10,000 and ordered to forfeit nearly $1 million. He will also be on supervised release for three years following his prison term.

Adams pleaded guilty to three felony counts, including conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance via the internet, conspiracy to sell misbranded/counterfeit drugs, and selling counterfeit drugs. He operated under the alias “BenzoBoys” on the Darknet and admitted to selling millions of counterfeit and/or misbranded pills between October 2019 and May 2021.

Using a pill press with imprints resembling those of legitimate pharmaceutical companies, Adams manufactured counterfeit Xanax and its generic equivalents at a secluded lake house outside Sullivan, Missouri. Customers placed orders using encrypted messaging services and paid with cryptocurrency. Adams then either mailed the pills or left them at designated "dead drop" sites for pickup by customers.

Law enforcement officials discovered tens of thousands of misbranded pills, bags labeled with the active ingredients of Xanax, and a significant amount of cash and cryptocurrency during searches of Adams' properties. In total, about $630,000 in cash and $330,000 in Bitcoin were seized, along with two rifles. Adams has agreed to forfeit these assets.

Acting Special Agent in Charge Chris Crocker of the FBI St. Louis Division described Adams as a significant figure in the distribution of counterfeit Xanax pills, emphasizing the health risks associated with consuming such products. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Joseph Dixon of the Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division echoed these concerns, highlighting the dangers posed by fake pills and the commitment of law enforcement to combat such illegal activities.

The investigation into Adams' illicit operations involved multiple agencies, including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Ware.